The Greatest Victory of Islam on 17th Ramadhan 2 A.H.

The battle of Badr was the first of the great battles of Islam.

And indeed Allah assisted you at Badr when you were weak, so be careful (to your duty) to Allah so that you may be of the thankful ones.

When you said to the believers ‘Does it not suffice you that your Lord should assist you with three thousand angels sent down.."
{Suratul Aale Imran 3:123 & 124}

Place: Badr (80 miles from Medina)
Muslim Army: 313 men, mainly infantry with 2 horses & 70 camels
Kuffar army: 1000 men, mainly riders with 100 horses and 700 camels
Muslim martyrs: 14
Kuffar killed: 72 out of which 36 killed by Imam Ali (A.S)

Battle won by Muslims

When the Prophet heard the news that there was a trade caravan going to Syria from Makka under the leadership of Abu Sufiyan, he sent two men to gather information about it. It was discovered that it was a large caravan in which all the Makkans had shares. The Quraysh had decided to put all their savings into it and use the profits on arms, horses and other items of war to use against the Muslims.

The news was disturbing. The Prophet(SAWW) left Medina with 313 men, 2 horses and 70 camels to go to Badr which was a stopping point for the caravans.  The Quraysh had confiscated all the property of all the Muslims who had left Makka for Medina. Abu Sufyan feared an attack from the Muslims and sent a messenger to Makka telling them of his fears. On receiving the message, an army of 1000 men, 100 horses and 700 camels under the leadership of Abu Jahl left Makka to go to Badr.  Meanwhile Abu Sufyan took a different route back to Makka avoiding Badr. Once he was back in Makka he called Abu Jahl but Abu Jahl was too proud and wanted to crush the Muslims with his large army.

The two armies met at Badr on 17th Ramadhan 2 A.H.  In the beginning as per Arab custom, single combat (one to one) took place. The famous Quraysh warriors Utbah, Shayba and Walid came to challenge three ‘Ansars’ from Medina. The Quraysh refused to fight any of the ‘Ansaars’, demanding their ‘equals’ and so the Prophet(SAWW) sent Ubayda, Hamza and Imam Ali(AS). The three Kuffar were killed (Ubayda was hurt). The Quraysh got disturbed and began attacking en masse.

In the thick of the battle, the Prophet prayed to Allah.  In Surat-ul Anfal Allah gave the answer:  "When you asked for help from your Lord, He answered you. Indeed I will aid you with a thousand of the angels in rows behind rows". Suratul Anfal 8:9

The enemies got frightened and began to retreat. The skill of Imam Ali (A.S), the other Muslim soldiers and the sight of so many angels struck terror in the enemies hearts. 72 Kuffar were killed including their leader Abu Jahl. Imam Ali(AS) killed 36 of them. 14 Muslims were martyred.

70 prisoners were taken by the Muslims. The prisoners were treated with kindness and some became Muslims. In later days some of the prisoners said: "blessed be the men of Medina, they made us ride whilst they walked, they gave us wheat and bread to eat when there was little of it contenting themselves with plain dates." The rich prisoners paid ransom and were set free. Others were asked to gain their freedom by teaching 10 Muslims to read and write.

The battle of Badr strengthened the faith of the Muslims

An old man sat to do his Wudhu / Wuzu (Ablution). But his Wudhu was not correct.

Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as) the grandsons of the Prophet Mohammad (saw), then two young boys, watched him.

They immediately realized that the old man was not doing his Wudhu correctly, but hesitated to tell him directly.

Perhaps the old man would feel humiliated by two young boys, or he might even lose interest in the act of worship.

Sitting next to him, they started to do the Wudhu and during the Wudhu, Imam Hasan (as) said: "Oh Hussain my Wudhu is correct and more perfect than yours."

In reply, Imam Hussain (as) insisted that his own Wudhu was better than Imam Hasan’s.

Finally they said: "Let us refer to this gentleman. He is older than us and should be able to decide."

The old man was listening patiently. The boys performed their Wudhu under his supervision, one after the other.

And when they had finished, he realized the Wudhu done by the boys was methodical and correct. It was his own Wudhu which was incorrect.

Turning to Imam Hasan(as) and Imam Hussain(as), he gently said:

"The Wudhu done by you is absolutely correct. I am grateful that you chose to guide me in such a beautiful manner."

Once, a female slave brought a beautiful flower, which had a wonderful fragrance and presented it to her master Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba(as). 

Imam(as) was so happy that he(as) instantly set her free. Anas bin Malik, who was present at the time, was surprised and remarked,

"Master! You have set her free for such a simple reason?

Indeed we do not see any connection between this flower and her freedom".

Thereupon, the Imam(as) said,

"Allah, the Almighty says in the Quran: ‘When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it’. (4:86).

She had expressed her feelings and it needed to be responded in a much better way, so I freed her". (Ahsanul-Muqaal).

Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq(as) has said,

"Al-Hasan bin Ali(as) was certainly the most true worshipper, ascetic and merited man among the people of his time".

It is reported that whenever al-Hasan(as) would perform ablution, he would tremble and his face turned pale.

When asked, he(as) said,

"It is only natural that one who stands in the presence of the Lord of the throne turns ashen and trembles." (Rawdhah al-Wa’idheen).

It is also reported that whenever al-Hasan(as) approached the door of Masjid (mosque), he would utter the following words:

"O Lord! Your guest is at your door. O Generous! The transgressor has come to You. Forgive my ugly deeds with Your generosity, O the most Generous". (Tabaqaat of Ibn Sa’d).

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honoured because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!